Tanker Refloated in Alaska

Monday, February 06, 2006

On behalf of the Unified Command, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation issued Situation Report #5 stating that a tug and response barge were en route to the scene of the grounding of the tanker Seabulk Pride in Cook Inlet. Situation Report #6 stated that response tugs managed to pull the tanker off the beach. The tanker then got underway on its own power. A transit plan is being prepared to escort and relocate the tanker to a safe location to continue damage surveys. Situation Report #7 indicates that Kachemak Bay in Cook Inlet will be used as a place of refuge where the tanker will undergo a complete check for integrity. The U.S Coast Guard issued a Press Release stating that vessel traffic in Cook Inlet is being considered on a ship-by-ship basis and that ice rules are in effect.